New leaders named for 2021–22 school year
Several 4J schools will have new leadership in 2021–22.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS— Natalie Oliver, Adams Principal • Mark Watson, Awbrey Park Interim Principal • Stephanie Randall, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Principal • Mike Riplinger, Camas Ridge Interim Principal • Tom Maloney, Charlemagne French Immersion Principal • Teresa Martindale, Family School Principal • Megan Russell, Gilham Assistant Principal
MIDDLE SCHOOLS—AJ Hruby, Arts & Technology Academy Principal • Kyle Kordon, Arts & Technology Academy Assistant Principal • Matt Myers, Cal Young Assistant Principal • John Wayland, Kelly Principal • Sarah Prater, Kelly Assistant Principal • Jennifer Hebard, Kennedy Assistant Principal • Sarah Campbell, Spencer Butte Middle School Assistant Principal
HIGH SCHOOLS—Missy Cole, Churchill Assistant Principal • Trinity Welch-Radabaugh, North Eugene Principal • J. Jesús Sandoval, North Eugene Assistant Principal • Travis Sheaffer, North Eugene Assistant Principal • Rhiannon Boettcher, South Eugene Assistant Principal • Scott Mayers, Eugene Online Academy Assistant Principal
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION— Dr. José Salgado, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction • Dr. Brooke Wagner, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services • Misael Flores Gutierrez, Equity, Inclusion and Instruction Director • Larry Williams, Equity, Inclusion and Instruction Director • Melissa Ibarra, Elementary Education & Language Immersion Director • Jeff Johnson, Elementary Education & Federal Programs Director • Dr. Andy Dey, Director of Secondary Education • Arthur Hart, Transportation Director • Patrick Brown, District Athletic Director • Casandra Kamens, Extended Learning Administrator • Angela Crum, Student Services Administrator • Joel Lavin, Student Services Administrator • Joy Maxwell, Health Services Supervisor • Brynn Richardson, School Nutrition Manager • Carolyn Sufit, School Nutrition Manager
Elementary School
Adams Principal: Natalie Oliver
Natalie Oliver is the new principal at Adams Elementary School, as Teresa Martindale is moving up the road to serve as Family School principal and support other district programs. Ms. Oliver is an experienced administrator, coming to 4J from Springfield High School where she currently serves as assistant principal. Previously she was a middle school principal and teacher in the Bethel School District. Ms. Oliver understands the deep need to instill a love of learning, strong content knowledge, and self-efficacy in our youngest students. She is ready to tackle the instructional, community and emotional needs that have grown from the pandemic with a student-first equity focus.
Awbrey Park Interim Principal: Mark Watson
Mark Watson will be the interim principal at Awbrey Park Elementary School for the 2021–22 school year, replacing Mike Riplinger who will serve at Camas Ridge. Mr. Watson is a veteran school administrator with 31 years of experience as an educator in Oregon public schools. He has served as an assistant principal in Eugene and Springfield for the past 20 years, including 15 years as an assistant principal at Sheldon High School and a stint as interim principal, before stepping in where he was needed to serve as Cal Young’s assistant principal this past school year. He was planning to retire but has agreed to bring his skills and extensive experience to Awbrey Park, where he will be a stable support this year as staff and students return to school on-site full-time.
Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Principal: Stephanie Randall
Stephanie Randall will be the new principal at Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School, replacing Melissa Ibarra who is moving to a district role. Ms. Randall has been assistant principal at Gilham and Willagillespie for the past year. She is a fluent Spanish speaker and an experienced elementary-level teacher. Ms. Randall came to 4J from Bohemia Elementary School in Cottage Grove, where she taught and served as a specialist team leader and grade-level team leader. She strives to create a school environment that is safe, equitable and welcoming, and promotes learning and growth for all students.
Camas Ridge Interim Principal: Mike Riplinger
Mike Riplinger will be the interim principal at Camas Ridge Elementary School for the 2021–22 school year, replacing Kevin Gordon who has departed for a principal position in Junction City. Mr. Riplinger is a veteran school administrator. He has been principal of Awbrey Park Elementary School since 2014; before coming to 4J, he served as a principal and assistant principal at a number of elementary, middle and high schools in Springfield over a span of 20 years. He started his career as a special education teacher. Mr. Riplinger extensive administrative experience, leadership skills, and dedication to doing what’s best for students will serve Camas Ridge well next year.
Charlemagne Principal Interim Principal: Tom Maloney
Tom Maloney will serve as principal at Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School for the 2021–22 school year. He is replacing Garrett Bridgens who is moving to Arts & Technology Academy to serve as assistant principal. Mr. Maloney is a veteran administrator who was principal at Charlemagne from 2010 to 2013, and also served as principal at three other South region elementary schools, Crest Drive, Edison and Camas Ridge, before he retired from 4J in 2016. He has a passion to ensure all students and staff are supported for success.
Family School Principal: Teresa Martindale
Teresa Martindale will be the principal at Family School and also will support other district programs. She replaces Jennifer Hebard who is moving to Kennedy Middle School. Ms. Martindale has been principal of Adams Elementary School since 2019. She previously served as assistant principal of Madison Middle School for 5 years, and as a K–8 principal and middle and high school assistant principal in Cottage Grove. As the first in a large family to attend college (her mother, born on a reservation, dropped out in eighth grade, and her father joined the military out of high school), Ms. Martindale has a unique lens on the power of education, and on the value of holding high expectations and providing the supports necessary for all students to succeed.
Gilham Assistant Principal: Megan Russell
Gilham Elementary School’s new assistant principal is Megan Russell, replacing Stephanie Randall who has been named principal at Buena Vista Elementary School. Ms. Russell is an experienced educator and has taught a variety of ages at all levels over the past decade. She comes to us from the Salem-Keizer School District, where she has taught middle school language arts, math and AVID electives for the past six years, served on the school leadership and behavioral support teams, and was the OBOB coordinator. Her positive attitude, desire to help all students succeed, and creative problem-solving skills will serve the Gilham community well.
Middle School
Arts & Technology Academy Principal: AJ Hruby
AJ Hruby will be the principal at Arts & Technology Academy, replacing Larry Williams who is moving to a district role supporting educational equity and inclusion. Ms. Hruby, a skilled and compassionate school leader and educator, has served as ATA’s assistant principal for the past five years and as an educator in 4J for 22 years. Before becoming a school administrator, she was an experienced classroom teacher, teacher leader, essential skills coordinator and Title I coordinator. She looks forward to continuing her work and engagement with ATA staff, families and community while supporting the school’s integration of STEM project-based learning throughout the curriculum in a student-centered positive learning environment.
Arts & Technology Academy Assistant Principal: Kyle Kordon
Kyle Kordon will be the new assistant principal at Arts & Technology Academy. Mr. Kordon succeeds Garrett Bridgens, the previously announced new assistant principal who is returning to the South Lane School District to serve as high school athletic director in Cottage Grove, where he and his family live. Mr. Kordon has taught at Kelly Middle School for the past eight years, primarily teaching science, but also math, AVID, architecture and student leadership classes. In addition to his teaching duties, he has served as Kelly’s student advisory program coordinator, provided support to Kelly’s administrative team, and is currently serving as the school’s summer program administrator. He was 4J’s ACE Awards teacher of the year in 2019. His strong work ethic, enthusiasm, communication style and leadership experiences will serve ATA well.
Cal Young Assistant Principal: Matt Myers
Matt Meyers will be the new assistant principal at Cal Young Middle School, replacing Mark Watson who is retiring. Mr. Myers is returning back to 4J after heading south to serve as assistant principal and athletic director at Cottage Grove High School for the past two years. Previously, he taught math in 4J middle and high schools for 14 years and served as a ninth-grade advisor, staff development specialist and essential skills/testing coordinator. He is motivated to remove barriers for all students, especially our most vulnerable students. Mr. Meyers is focused on caring leadership, collaborative problem solving and building capacity.
Kelly Principal: John Wayland
John Wayland will continue as principal at Kelly Middle School. Mr. Wayland, who was named Kelly’s interim principal for the 2020–21 school year and will continue in the permanent role, is a seasoned school administrator with close ties to Kelly and the North Eugene community. Mr. Wayland taught language arts and social studies at Kelly for nearly a decade before becoming a school administrator, including serving as assistant principal at South Eugene High School for seven years. Mr. Wayland will continue leading the school with his veteran experience and established relationships with the Kelly community.
Kelly Assistant Principal: Sarah Prater
Sarah Prater will continue as assistant principal at Kelly Middle School after being named interim assistant principal for the 2020–21 school year. Ms. Prater has worked in education since 2003 and with 4J since 2007. She taught language arts at South Eugene High School for ten years, served as the district’s K–12 Literacy, Talented and Gifted (TAG) and English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), and coached other districts through multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) implementation. Her commitment to equity and building layers of culturally responsive practice into schoolwide systems will continue to benefit the Kelly community.
Kennedy Assistant Principal: Jennifer Hebard
Jennifer Hebard will be the assistant principal at Kennedy Middle School, replacing Chris Benz, who is moving to Adams Elementary School. Ms. Hebard will move to the Kennedy site along with the Chinese Immersion School in 2021–22, and will oversee the language immersion program as it relocates and grows to a K–8 program at the Kennedy site. Ms. Hebard has been principal of Family School at the Crest Drive site since 2016 and the co-located Chinese Immersion Elementary School since it opened the following year. She is a collaborative leader who values the importance of building relationships with students, families and staff, as well as supporting the academic success of students with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of academic and social needs.
Spencer Butte Assistant Principal: Sarah Campbell
Sarah Campbell is the new assistant principal at Spencer Butte Middle School, replacing Tracy Ross who has accepted a principal position in Oakridge. Ms. Campbell comes to 4J from the Bethel School District, where she has taught sixth grade for the past decade. Previously, she taught elementary students in Bethel, and going further back, her very first teaching job was at Howard Elementary School in 2007. She has a background in talented and gifted education and has worked to increase the participation of underrepresented and historically marginalized groups of students in TAG programs. Ms. Campbell is excited about connecting with and supporting students, families and staff to successfully participate in an academically challenging, equitable and diverse learning community at Spencer Butte.
High School
Churchill Assistant Principal: Missy Cole
Missy Cole will be Churchill High School’s newest assistant principal, replacing Casandra Kamens who will be serving as the district’s extended learning administrator. Ms. Cole comes to 4J from Springfield Public Schools, where she has been assistant principal at Thurston High School since 2013. She began her educational career in Washington as a high school physical education/health teacher and taught for a decade before moving into the administrative realm. She directed a federal PE grant for two school districts, served as a middle school dean of students and as an athletic director, before moving to Oregon and into her current role at Thurston. Ms. Cole makes it a priority to build trust with each student, staff member and community member she encounters.
North Eugene Principal: Trinity Welch-Radabaugh
Trinity Welch-Radabaugh will continue as principal at North Eugene High School in the permanent role after being appointed as interim principal for the 2020–21 school year. Previously, Ms. Welch-Radabaugh had been an assistant principal at North Eugene for three years and served as an assistant principal in Corvallis. Before becoming an administrator, she taught high school advanced mathematics. As principal, Ms. Welch-Radabaugh will continue to carry forward the outstanding work being accomplished at North Eugene.
North Eugene Assistant Principal: J. Jesús Sandoval
J. Jesús Sandoval will be assistant principal at North Eugene High School, replacing Scott Mayers who is moving to Eugene Online Academy. Mr. Sandoval comes to 4J from Willamette Education Service District, where he has served for the past seven years as an education specialist, concentrating on student graduation, college and career readiness, and reducing the equity gaps that exist in education, with a focus on those affecting the migrant community. Previously, he taught in English and Spanish in the migrant education program in the Woodburn School District. Mr. Sandoval, who has extensive experience working with traditionally underserved populations, is committed to developing and growing equitable access to education and culturally competent practices that reflect a deep understanding of historically marginalized students and their families.
North Eugene Assistant Principal: Travis Sheaffer
Travis Sheaffer will continue as assistant principal at North Eugene High School in a permanent role. Mr. Sheaffer was named North Eugene’s interim assistant principal for the 2020–21 school year after directing both the North Eugene and Kelly Middle School band programs for four years. He previously served as a department chair and administrative intern. Mr. Sheaffer’s strong communication skills and passion for instructional improvement will continue to benefit the North Eugene community.
South Eugene Assistant Principal: Rhiannon Boettcher
Rhiannon Boettcher will be the new assistant principal at South Eugene High School, replacing Joel Lavin who is now a student services administrator for the district. Ms. Boettcher will come to Eugene this fall from the Portland metro area, where she has been a teacher and leader since 2008, most recently in the North Clackamas School District. She has served as a science teacher, leadership teacher, activities director, instructional coach, and summer program administrator. Ms. Boettcher believes in and cares about the power of student voice, restorative justice, and building a relational and student-centered school community.
Eugene Online Academy Assistant Principal: Scott Mayers
Scott Mayers will be the new assistant principal at Eugene Online Academy. Mr. Mayers has been assistant principal at North Eugene High School since 2014, and served as the interim assistant principal for the ECCO alternative high school program during a portion of the 2015–16 school year. Before coming to 4J, Mr. Mayers was Springfield Public Schools’ dean of students for nine years. He has an instructional background in multiple subject areas and experience working with students who have typically struggled in school.
District Administration
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction: Dr. José Salgado
Dr. José S
algado will join 4J as the assistant superintendent for instruction, replacing Dr. Charis McGaughy who has decided to depart the district at the end of the school year. Dr. Salgado has worked at all levels of education for more than 30 years. His experience ranges from teaching in rural Central America to leading schools in inner-city Boston. Dr. Salgado currently serves as the chief academic officer of a 24,000-student school district in Jackson, Mississippi. He holds a doctorate in education from Harvard University.
Dr. Salgado has focused his career on closing achievement gaps and increasing academic outcomes. His diverse experiences have taught him that each individual situation deserves a unique approach, tailored to local context and a unique understanding of what is required to improve student and school outcomes at every level, by leveraging effective teams, creating a clear and attainable vision, and setting clear goals and accountability systems. Dr. Salgado’s expertise in teaching and leading is of the highest caliber and will be an outstanding asset.
Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services: Dr. Brooke Wagner
Dr. Brooke Wagner has been selected to serve as assistant superintendent for administrative services for the 2021–22 school year, filling the vacancy left when Cydney Vandercar was appointed 4J’s interim superintendent. Dr. Wagner has broad and deep experience at all school levels, and as a classified, licensed and administrative staff member. Before serving as 4J’s director of elementary and preK–8 education for the past five years, Dr. Wagner worked in three of the district’s four school regions and served as a middle and elementary school principal in Springfield. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Oregon.
Dr. Wagner has emphasized building and maintaining relationships and created a foundation of trust, transparency and approachability. Her combination of enthusiasm, experience, leadership, and essential skills and qualities will continue to be a valuable asset to the district in the administrative services realm.
Equity, Inclusion and Instruction Director: Misael Flores Gutierrez
Misael Flores Gutierrez, who has served as curriculum administrator for equity, instruction and partnerships for the past year, has accepted a new district role as a director of equity, inclusion and instruction, working alongside Larry Williams. Mr. Flores has dedicated much of his career to researching and developing the tools to advance student equity and to break down the barriers to success for all students. He is fluent in Spanish and holds a master’s degree in special education. He previously worked as an assistant principal at Churchill High School and an educator for more than a decade. Before becoming a school administrator, Mr. Flores was engaged in advancing work on equity and social justice in Oregon education, including work on a longitudinal intervention program to increase Latino family-school involvement.
Equity, Inclusion and Instruction Director: Larry Williams
Larry Williams, currently principal of Arts & Technology Academy, is moving to a district role as a director of equity, inclusion and instruction, working alongside Misael Flores. Mr. Williams has served as principal of Arts & Technology Academy since 2017, following 10 years as principal of Edgewood Elementary School. He previously served as assistant principal of a K–8 school in Bethel and as a counselor at Churchill High School. Mr. Williams is a veteran instructional leader dedicated to promoting equitable access to education and positive student outcomes in traditionally underserved communities.
Elementary Education Director: Melissa Ibarra
Melissa Ibarra is moving to the Ed Center to be a director of elementary education and oversee language immersion and early childhood education programs. Ms. Ibarra has been with 4J for five years, as the principal of Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School. Previously she served as the dual language coordinator for Springfield Public Schools, where she led the development of the district’s first dual language immersion program and then served as the dual immersion lead teacher. Her bilingual background and cultural competency will be an asset in her new role. Ms. Ibarra is committed to collaboration, community involvement, promoting success for all students and preparing them for college readiness and success in a global society.
Elementary Education Director: Jeff Johnson
Jeff Johnson will serve as a director of elementary education and oversee federal programs including Title I. Mr. Johnson has been a director of pre-K–8 education for the past two years. He has been an educator in 4J for more than 20 years, including serving as principal of Coburg Elementary School and then launching Arts & Technology Academy as a K–8 school and serving as its principal for 10 years. In recent years he also worked with many schools as the district’s federal programs administrator. In all of these roles, Mr. Johnson has been committed to changing beliefs about students in historically underserved groups, increasing expectations about what students can achieve, developing systems with a focus on rigorous instruction, and increasing the instructional and leadership capacity of staff.
Director of Secondary Education: Dr. Andy Dey
Andy Dey will serve as director of secondary education, the 4J administrator directly overseeing the middle and high school levels. Dr. Dey initially served in that role starting in the 2018–19 school year, before being named director of high schools during the past year. He will again oversee both levels following a reorganization of the instruction department.
Prior to becoming a district administrator, Dr. Dey served as principal of South Eugene High School for three years and previously worked as a middle and high school science teacher and administrator, track coach, and curriculum director at an international school in Santiago, Chile. He is fluent in Spanish and holds a doctorate in education leadership. Dr. Dey is a focused and passionate leader for educational excellence, working with staff and community to find ways to ensure that all students are successful.
Transportation Director: Arthur Hart
Arthur Hart is 4J’s new transportation director. Mr. Hart has worked as the district’s classified benefits coordinator for the past two years, but his history and heart are in student transportation. He has 14 years of experience in the student transportation field, starting as a bus driver for a Washington school district in 2004. He moved to Eugene in 2012, joining 4J as a bus driver, but was soon promoted to driver specialist and then route planning coordinator for several years, before taking on the role supporting classified employees across the district. Mr. Hart’s deep experience in student transportation, strong communication skills, and caring approach will serve him well as he leads the district’s transportation services.
District Athletic Director: Patrick Brown
Patrick Brown has joined 4J as district athletic director, a new administrative role overseeing middle and high school sports across the district. Mr. Brown has more than 20 years of experience as an athletic director, coach and educator. He comes to 4J from Texas, where he most recently has served as the district athletic director and head football coach at Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District for the past five years. Mr. Brown is experienced in managing athletic logistics, creating cohesion across all sports and multiple schools, and supporting students to excel both on and off the field.
Extended Learning Administrator: Casandra Kamens
Casandra Kamens is taking on a new role as the district’s extended learning administrator. Ms. Kamens has been the assistant principal at Churchill High School since 2017. Prior to Churchill, she served for nearly 20 years in various roles at North Eugene High School: a world languages teacher, small schools coordinator, instructional programs administrator, and principal for three years. Her exceptional scheduling coordination and planning skills and her extensive school experience will be great assets as she takes on this new role.
Student Services Administrator: Angela Crum
Angela Crum is 4J’s newest student services administrator. Ms. Crum comes to 4J from the Brookings-Harbor School District on the southern Oregon coast, where she has been the director of special programs for the past four years. She has experience working as a school administrator and as a special education teacher supervisor and resource specialist. She started her education career in New Mexico in 2002 as a special ed teacher. Ms. Crum is dedicated to addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion with a focus on building communities of belonging. She believes that all students can be successful and is passionate and committed to ensuring that all students, families and staff have experiences that give them a sense of meaning, belonging and hope.
Student Services Administrator: Joel Lavin
Joel Lavin is 4J’s newest student services administrator. Mr. Lavin is an experienced administrator, currently serving as assistant principal at South Eugene High School and previously as principal of River Road/El Camino del Río and Awbrey Park elementary schools, and assistant principal of Roosevelt Middle School. Mr. Lavin, who is fluent in Spanish, brings a strong equity lens and a passion to ensure all students, families and staff are supported for success. He will be a key addition to the student services team.
Health Services Supervisor: Joy Maxwell
Joy Maxwell is 4J’s new student health services supervisor, overseeing the school nurse team. Ms. Maxwell is a registered nurse and an experienced healthcare provider, with 28 years of nursing experience in a variety of inpatient and outpatient care settings. She joined 4J’s health services staff six years ago and has served students at all levels: elementary, middle and high. She enjoys learning what school nursing can offer, including opportunities to help students and families and to problem-solve when solutions are not always obvious. Ms. Maxwell has been instrumental in the district’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she will continue to be key in her new role as the district return to school buildings full-time this year.
School Nutrition Manager: Brynn Richardson
Brynn Richardson is 4J’s newest school nutrition manager, along with Carolyn Sufit. Ms. Richardson brings to the district her experience managing a region of kitchens and teams with different needs and cultures. She has a culinary arts and nutrition education, which will enable her to work with kitchen teams and chefs in education settings. Designing menus and recipes for those with special dietary needs has been a focus of her work and will help her build the systems of communication and controls between schools, kitchens, and nurses in serving students with special dietary requirements.
School Nutrition Manager: Carolyn Sufit
Carolyn Sufit is 4J’s newest school nutrition manager, along with Brynn Richardson. Ms. Sufit has an education in clinical nutrition and more than a decade of experience with food manufacturing. She has worked with a variety of local manufacturers, including So Delicious Dairy Free and Lochmead Dairy. Her expertise in quality control and quality assurance will be invaluable, as will her supervisory and managerial experience, as the nutrition services department develops and grows.
Please welcome these education leaders to their new positions!
(This article was first published in April and updated as additional appointments were announced.)
